1/18/11

Top 5 Cult Beauty Buys That Don't Deserve The Hype

These are my opinions. This means they are not fact =). Just a disclaimer before I say something not flattering about something you may be using. I just hope to save some fabulous ladies out there money. I am going to be starting a series for YOU to send me a review on a product and we'll post it. You either rate it or hate it and it will be called Reader Review. Do you already have a product in mind? Write a review and send it to dollcosmetics@gmail.com.
Like I said in previous posts. This mascara is TeRrIbLe. I know there are a lot of lovers out there of this product but I don't see it! There are SO many others out there that are better, that don't clump and that lengthen. It is the most natural mascara out there, I'll give it that...but that is ALL. For some odd reason, beauty editors and makeup artists alike love to put this down as the best mascara ever created, when it’s one of the worsts that I’ve ever tried. Keep in mind that all of those celebrities are being paid a nice sum to say it's great. That's my two cents, try it for yourself and come to your own conclusion. I recommend Lash Blast as a good budget buy.
This lotion was ALL the rage when it came out and couldn't stay on the shelf to save it's life. Let's be honest, a lotion that could double as a tanner? That's HUGE!!! But alas things have evolved and this lotion hasn't. It isn't water or sweat resistant and drips down your body as if trying to flee back to the bottle from whence it came. The smell is altogether not great and there are just better options now a days...aren't we LuCkY??? I for SURE recommend Sally Hansen's Airbrushed Legs!
Bare Escentuals/Minerals is clearly the "rage" with a lot of people that want something that is better for their skin. First of all, YES, I am all for that...but I am also wanting more. I want something great for my skin that actually gives me good coverage. I was not personally impressed with this line and hope that something better will come along in the future.  I will be trying the Matte foundation formula here soon and am hoping it will work for me. Let me be clear, I do NOT hate this line, I just think it is over-hyped.
I would NEVER buy another foundation from MAC and if they came out with something new, I would have my guard up like CrAzY. I used to love it until I tried other things and found out that this foundation is just not all it's cracked up to be. I still have SO many of them though and will use them all up in tutorials. I have found Makeup Forever is great, Cinema Secrets is amazing, and Chanel hold its own as well. Like the post title says....doesn't deserve the hype.
MAC started out as a great product founded by two men from Canada that saw the need in the industry for a stellar product for MUAs. With any line, however, when it gets bigger or is just there for a long time, management switches around, ownership changes and product quality, as a result, can also change. Estee Lauder acquired controlling interest in '94 and completed "the deed" in '98. Some higher up artists didn't like what was going to happen to the quality, jumped ship and headed over to Makeup Forever (singing voice) which is amaaaaazing!!!!!! So, once my "rose-colored glasses" came off I saw MAC for what it was and is. They have some great shadows, I can get that LOTS of other places, all of their creamy things, Paint pots, blushes, color bases are terrible. The application is awful and FAR superior products used for the same thing can be found ALL over Sephora. I still like their lipsticks, I'm a sucker for a good palette and I love most of their brushes. I won't stop buying MAC but I am no longer a slave to them.

16 comments:

Peace Love & All Things Creative said...

love your blog! i'm your newest follower :)
xoxo
check me out at peaceloveandallthingscreative.blogspot.com & check out my makeup product post

Dana said...

Thanks for this post. I'm embarrassed to say I have at least 2 of these products in my makeup kit. Not any longer. I'm relieved to find out my struggles with the mascara is the brand, and not me. I had lots of trouble with clumping and thought I just wasn't able to wear mascara properly even though I really need it to look put together.
I will definitely be looking at your recommendations on any future cosmetic purchases.

Unknown said...

This post is awesome! I was one of the many that bought the Jergens tanner...I was so hoping it worked and it just didn't. Do you have a self-tanner that you recommend for arms/ face?

Shelby said...

I just started using Falsies Volume Express by Maybelline and I really love it!

Shelley said...

I was dying to know your take on Bare minerals....I own ALOT of their products.....$$$$$$....what DO you recommend for foundation and HOW do you apply...with brush or fingers? Where can I get the 88 pallette?
BTW....I actually KNOW MAXINE...of the mop brush. She is an awesome decorative painter here in Vancouver,WA and I paint as well....so I have a whole bunch of new mops now destined for make-up instead of paint! YAY!!!!

Tracy D said...

Standing on a chair clapping for the last one in particular. I just don't get the MAC hype. I do enjoy some of their products but the MAC this MAC that, blah blah blah, gets so old. There are so many other choices out there that get 1/4 of the hype. I was also a great lash user for years b/c of all the hype & one day thought 'why do I use this, I hate it', haha.. Great post!

Becky said...

LOVE IT! #1- RIGHT??? I tried it back in high school and figured out back then that it was a joke. I just can't believe that "everyone" says it's the best out there. LAME! #2- bought it when it first came out and I was pregnant.. I threw up every time I wore it from the smell. Tossed it! #3- Was my first big makeup purchase, the huge set.. once it was done, I moved on. It was good but I wanted better. I've tried the Matte and while it's better with skin (I have oily t-zone), it doesn't give me the results I thought I would have. MAC- I only have Vanilla that I bought when I first started reading your blog. I just fell in LoVe with Urban Decay and their palettes and shadow quality. I have a ton now! I also enjoy Stila and Too Faced.

I'm dying to try the Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet foundation.

karen said...

Well now I'm anxious to try Makeup Forever. I had a facialist tell me to stay away from Mac products, that they clog your pores, so I've never used anything but their lipsticks. Bare Minerals - its OK but not all that. Hate Maybelline mascara. It clumps. Jergens lotion - I still have some. It smells funny and doensn't work all that well. You're dead on!

Codilyn said...

Ouch!! You just let them all have it! I'm still a MAC fan and always will be, but I completely agree that Bare Minerals is crap. Those of you looking for a great mineral makeup should try Lancome's Mineral Loose Powder, add their mineral brush and you'll be in heaven! I have converted many Bare Minerals customers after applying Lancome's mineral makeup to their skin. It's TEN TIMES BETTER than other mineral products. Also, their mascara is amazing!! I suggest Defenicils for any lady who wants beautiful, amazing lashes.

Anonymous said...

Have the lotion - smell is horrid.

I am new here, so you may have already touched on this topic. But, I am interested in knowing what is worth spending big bucks on, and what I can buy at Traget - or Wal-Mart.

As a stay at home mom I want to up my make-up routine, but I don't have lots of cash.

I woud also be interested in order of importance is good make-up and tools. For example, can you get away with a less than stellar application brush if you get the right make-up, or get the better brushes and less than great make up until you can have it all?

Thanks :P

Jen said...

Chris, I have SO many thoughts on your comment. I am going to do a video or post about that!!! Greta idea =).

Rachel said...

I agree with Chris...PLEASE share your thoughts! :)

Sheri said...

I would LOVE if you did a post or video about your favorites in every category and by who: foundation, eye shadows, blush, powder, bronzer, highlighter...everything!
Ive been a loyal MAC user for years but think its time to start branching out. Especially since they are closing the store closest to me!
Thanks so much! I love your blog!

Afton's mommy said...

I am crazy addicted to your blog! I have spent the last 3 days *pouring* over your tutorials (so what if the kid & hubby ate Ramen Noodles for 3 days in a row!) I have learned so much! I have a few questions though...(a) can you hop on a plane and fly to North Carolina? Nope? On to (b)I have extremely fair skin (I've been compared to a glow stick) with freckles and light brown hair, to add to my dorkiness I wear glasses (although I must admit, they are REALLY cute glasses!). I have large sometimes blue/sometimes green eyes with very long, dark eyelashes. I know that they are my best feature, and I want them to pop, but I'm unsure how to make that happen. I have tried mascara but never been a big fan b/c my lashes bang against my glasses when I blink and the lenses get smudgy. Any ideas? Thanks so much!!

Mr, Mrs and Munchie said...

I Love the blog! can you put down where to buy the products that you blog about! I's a mom and need fast stops and where to find it all!! thanks!

Jen said...

You BET!!! I can put together a post on where to find things for SURE! Wouldn't it be nice to have a drive through window for all of our makeup shopping needs =D?